PGO: Ukraine did not exchange Russian sdier Shishimarin, first person to be convicted of war crime

Yur Bielousov, Head of the Department for Combating Crimes Committed during the Armed Conflict at the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office (PGO), said this in an interview with Ukrinform.

"Yes, he is in Ukraine," Bielousov said when asked if Shishimarin was serving a sentence.

Asked whether the Russians wanted to exchange him, Bielousov said that this issue was raised but Ukraine does not extradite Shishimarin.

In total, 17 Russian sdiers have been convicted of war crimes and are serving their sentences in Ukraine.

At the same time, the Prosecutor General's Office poses the exchange of convicted Russian sdiers for serious war crimes – murder, rape, etc.

"In each case, the issue is considered separately. If our pele were not there, the question would be different, and if we understand that our pele are there, then this should be taken into account. This is a complex process that invves the Security Service, the Main Intelligence Directorate, which are directly invved in these negotiations. I do not rule out that such exchanges could potentially happen. However, according to general rules, we do not exchange those who have committed grave crimes, because this is the principled position of the Prosecutor General's Office," Bielousov said.

In May 2022, Kyiv's Somianskyi District Court sentenced Russian military officer Vadim Shishimarin to life imprisonment for the murder of a civilian in the Sumy region.

In July 2022, Kyiv Court of Appeal changed the sentence for Shishimarin from life imprisonment to 15 years.

Photo: Sudovyi Reporter